FRIDAY: Discover Catholic School Donors

Catholic school education is an investment. Families work hard to cover the cost of tuition because they value faith-filled and quality academic formation for their children. Many families rely on financial assistance, scholarship opportunities and development support in order to bridge the gap. Donors are essential to their success.

TIP: Use this as a step in a multi-layered advancement strategy. Follow up all meetings and introductions to current donors with thank-you notes. Ask current donors to introduce you to potential donors.

Ideas for Discover Catholic School Donors

• Make donors feel part of your community. People are more inclined to give when others are doing the same. By explaining how their single gift is leveraged by the support of others, people better understand the broader impact of their donation.
• Educate on the importance of philanthropic support. Many prospective donors do not understand that Catholic schools cannot thrive on tuition dollars alone. Donors need to be educated about the economic reality of the Catholic school as it relates to local and national financial constraints.
• Clearly and persuasively describe the need. In no more than three sentences, explain why your school is seeking a gift.
• Thank donors. When accepting gifts, ask donors to provide their names as they would like them published in your giving report. This is a personalized touch that shows you appreciate their contributions.
• Invite donors to a special school tour or school event. Pair them with students so that they can see the impact of their gifts directly from those who benefit from a Catholic education